With all the new babies being born around here lately, I've been asked about parenting and child care a lot the last few months. Two of the new moms don't really have much experience with babies and have been very curious how we do things in our house and what my experience has been with young kids (I have three younger siblings, babysat regularly for over fourteen years and even did a stint as a nanny for two years). So I thought I'd do a post about the parenting style my hubby and I use.

***Just thought I would point out that this post in not meant to make judgments on how anybody else parents their children. This is just a friendly post explaining how hubby and I parent.***

We're what most people would call attachment parents. We're a co-sleeping, babywearing, breastfeeding family. Okay, my hubby doesn't breastfeed, but he is a huge support to me in that area. :) We respond to L's cries and believe that her wants and needs are valid. I understand that these things may not be that important to other parents, but it's what is important to us. However, we are not extreme attachment parents. We believe that parents should set boundaries for their children, should have rules, make routines, etc. I don't wear L all day everyday, although I do try to wear her at least once everyday and make sure she's close to me during the day as much as possible.

Co-sleeping came about because L just seems to sleep better next to me. It's pretty understandable, really, I don't like to sleep alone, why would I expect her to? I wear her in slings, wraps, and mei tais because it's convenient when I'm trying to get things done and because I want her to be close to me during the day. I'd much rather have her with me, watching and learning how to do something, than sitting by herself playing with her toys all day. Don't get me wrong, she spends time sitting and playing with her toys, but I don't want her doing that all day long. I breastfeed L because it's free, it's perfect infant nutrition, and because I enjoy nursing her. Responding to her cries is important to me because I want her to know that we are there for her and because it's what I would do for anybody else - if my hubby or a friend were upset, I would respond and try to comfort them, why would I not do that for my daughter?

That pretty much sums it up for right now, I mean, she is only six months old so it's not like I need to have discipline philosophies and what not all laid out. When asked by the new moms about baby care I try to stress to them that every baby is different, every family is different, and what works for you is what you should do. But, right now, our brand of attachment parenting works for us so that's what we do. :)